Beam Splitter Thin-Film Layout for Accurate Laser Beam Dimming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser beam measurement devices using beam splitters face issues in accurately measuring the image shape and energy intensity distribution of laser beams due to significant variations in transmittance or reflectance at different incident angles, leading to image distortion and device damage from high-energy laser beams.
Innovation Solution
A dimming device employing a beam splitter with an optical thin film of 10 or more layers, inclined at an angle of 30° to 60°, is used to split and measure laser beams without damaging observation devices, ensuring accurate measurement of image shape and energy intensity distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a beam splitter is used to dim the laser beam for measurement, then the observation device is protected from high-energy laser damage, but the transmittance varies significantly at different incident angles causing measurement inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the incident angle parameter by inclining the beam splitter at a specific angle (30° to 60°) relative to the optical axis. This parameter change ensures that the laser beam always strikes the beam splitter at a consistent angle, eliminating transmittance variation caused by angle changes and enabling accurate measurement of image shape and energy intensity distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam splitter is positioned asymmetrically with respect to the optical axis by inclining it at a specific angle. This asymmetric positioning creates a fixed geometric relationship between the laser beam path and the beam splitter surface, ensuring consistent incident angles and stable transmittance characteristics for accurate measurement.
2Ease of operation
If the beam splitter is positioned perpendicular to the optical axis for simple alignment, then the setup is easy, but the transmittance varies at different incident angles causing image distortion
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning the beam splitter perpendicular to the optical axis (0° incident angle), the patent changes the incident angle parameter to a specific range (30° to 60°). This parameter change eliminates transmittance variation while maintaining a fixed geometric relationship that preserves image shape accuracy for measurement.
3Device complexity
If the incident angle is kept small for minimal beam deviation, then the beam path is simple, but the transmittance variation at different angles causes measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the incident angle parameter to a specific range (30° to 60°) that balances beam deviation and transmittance stability. This parameter optimization ensures accurate measurement of energy intensity distribution while maintaining a manageable beam path configuration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The dimming device effectively reduces laser beam intensity to prevent device damage while maintaining accurate measurement of image shape and energy distribution, even with varying incident angles, enabling precise laser machining and measurement.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitter that has an optical thin film of 10 or more layers formed close to a surface on which the laser beam is incident
Implementation Method 2
is disposed so as to be inclined at an angle α of 30° or more and 60° or less with respect to the optical axis
Data Source
AI summary
To achieve the object, provided is a dimming device including a beam splitter that has an optical thin film of 10 or more layers formed close to a surface on which the laser beam is incident, and that, when any orthogonal coordinate axes whose origin in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the laser beam irradiation optical unit is on the optical axis are defined as an X axis and a Y axis, is disposed so as to be inclined at an angle α of 30° or more and 60° or less with respect to the optical axis with the X axis as a rotation axis.